Sweet pepper hybrid 9954288

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper varieties designated 9954288, SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288, pepper line SBR 99-1274 and pepper line SBY 99-1273, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing a plant with itself or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of the invention, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/042,662, filed Apr. 4, 2008, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288, and ofthe inbred pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include greateryield, resistance to insects or pests, tolerance to heat and drought,better agronomic quality, higher nutritional value, growth rate andfruit properties.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different varieties produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new lines are evaluatedto determine which of those have commercial potential.

One crop which has been subject to such breeding programs and is ofparticular value is the sweet pepper. As used herein, sweet pepperrefers to the fruit and the plant of the non-pungent chile peppervarieties. Sweet peppers belong to the genre Capsicum, of the nightshadefamily, Solanaceae. The term “sweet pepper” therefore includes bellpeppers (Capsicum annuum), the “That sweet”—also a cultivar of C.annuum, the “dulce”—a popular cultivar of Capsicum baccatum, as well asNumex Suave Orange (Capsicum chinense), an unusually sweet habanero-typepepper.

Sweet peppers are primarily used as vegetables in cuisine around theworld; however, they are also grown for ornamental and medicinal uses.The sweet pepper fruit is eaten cooked or raw. In contrast to the hotpepper, the sweet pepper contains little, if any, capsaicin(8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), the main active ingredientresponsible for the pungency of hot peppers.

C. annuum is a herbaceous annual. The plant has a densely branched stemand grows to 1.5 to 5 feet in height. The fruit is green when unripe,then usually changing to red or brown. The species can grow in manyclimates; however, they thrive in warm and dry climates.

Most sweet pepper breeding programs have concentrated on the non-pungentvarieties of C. annuum, especially bell peppers. Pickersgill and Barbara(1997). Breeding pepper lines with differently colored fruit has beenvery popular. The color of the fruit can be green, red, yellow, orangeand, more rarely, white, purple and brown depending both on the cultivarand the time of harvest.

Peppers with multiple resistances to several pests and diseases havealso been bred. Id. Pickersgill and Barbara (1997). In the case of bellpeppers, the development of molecular markers and a molecular linkagemap for C. annuum has eased some of the problems associated withselecting simultaneously for multiple resistances and other desirablecharacteristics. Id. Pickersgill and Barbara (1997). Other sweet pepperbreeding efforts have often focused on creating non-pungent cultivars ofhot peppers. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,819.

Tetraploidy and haploidy are relatively easy to induce in Capsicumspecies. In fact, an octaploid Capsicum annuum was recently reported(Panda et al., 1984). Capsicum species exhibit barriers to interspecificgene transfer. These include unilateral incompatibility,post-fertilization abortion, and nucleo-cytoplasmic interactions leadingto male sterility or other abnormalities (Pickersgill and Barbara,1997). However, the development of a pepper line resistant to theanthracnose fungal pathogen using interspecific crossing betweenCapsicum baccatum and C. annuum has been reported (Chae et al., 2003).

Hybrid vigor has also been documented in peppers, and hybrids aregaining increasing popularity among farmers throughout the world,especially in countries with plentiful labor (Berke, 1999).

While breeding efforts to date have provided a number of useful sweetpepper lines with beneficial traits, there remains a great need in theart for new lines with further improved traits. Such plants wouldbenefit farmers and consumers alike by improving crop yields and/orquality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes limitations in the prior art byproviding, for example, seeds and plants of a sweet pepper varietyhaving a combination of genes, the expression of which provides a numberof advantageous traits, such as small to medium plant size, andanthocyaninless, green to red bell pepper fruit with an large size atmaturity of about 9 cm in width and 9 cm in length, and about 200 g toabout 250 g. Other advantageous traits include resistance to: Race 6Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria),Races 1-5 and 7-10 of BLS, Tobamovirus Pathotype 0 (TMV (p0)) and toTomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). This represents a significant advancein the art by offering resistance to Race 6 BLS, Races 1-5 BLS, Races7-10 BLS and TSWV with the anthocyaninless trait, and excellent fruitqualities.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant of thehybrid designated 9954288, and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY99-1273. Also provided are pepper plants having all the physiologicaland morphological characteristics of the pepper hybrid 9954288. Parts ofthe sweet pepper plant of the present invention are also provided, forexample, including pollen, an ovule, a scion, a rootstock, a fruit, anda cell of the plant.

In another aspect, the invention provides a plant of a sweet pepperhybrid that exhibits a combination of traits comprising resistance to:Race 6 BLS, Races 1-5 BLS, Races 7-10 BLS, TMV (p0), and TSWV, andanthocyaninless. In certain embodiments, the combination of traits maybe defined as controlled by genetic means for the expression of thecombination of traits found in sweet pepper hybrid 9954288.

The invention also concerns the seed of pepper hybrid 9954288 and/orpepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273. The pepper seeds of theinvention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper seed of pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 andSBY 99-1273. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed are generallyfree from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seed may bedefined as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including atleast about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper plants designated pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1274 and SBY 99-1273.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid 9954288and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 comprising an addedheritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a geneticlocus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In oneembodiment of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid 9954288 and/orpepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 is defined as comprising asingle locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, anadded genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may beconferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome ofthe line by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgeneintroduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or aprogenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced throughtransformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genesintegrated at a single chromosomal location.

In another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a pepper plant a plant described herein is provided. The tissueculture will preferably be capable of regenerating pepper plants capableof expressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof the line, and of regenerating plants having substantially the samegenotype as other plants of the line. Examples of some of thephysiological and morphological characteristics include those traits setforth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissuecultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems,cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower,seed and stalks. Still further, the present invention provides pepperplants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, the plantshaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of aplant provided herein.

In yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing pepper seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parentpepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepperplants is a plant of pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1274 and SBY 99-1273. These processes may be further exemplified asprocesses for preparing hybrid pepper seed or plants, wherein a firstpepper plant is crossed with a second pepper plant of a different,distinct line to provide a hybrid that has, as one of its parents, thepepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273.In these processes, crossing will result in the production of seed. Theseed production occurs regardless of whether the seed is collected ornot.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent pepper plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent pepper plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the male portions of flowers, (i.e., treating ormanipulating the flowers to produce an emasculated parent pepper plant).Self-incompatibility systems may also be used in some hybrid crops forthe same purpose. Self-incompatible plants still shed viable pollen andcan pollinate plants of other varieties but are incapable of pollinatingthemselves or other plants of the same line.

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent pepper plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent pepper plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a pepper plant or hybrid pepperplant.

The present invention also provides the pepper seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent pepper plant with asecond parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent pepper plants is a plant provided herein such as from pepperhybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273. In oneembodiment of the invention, pepper seed and plants produced by theprocess are first generation (F₁) hybrid pepper seed and plants producedby crossing a plant in accordance with the invention with another,distinct plant. The present invention further contemplates plant partsof such an F₁ hybrid pepper plant, and methods of use thereof.Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an F1hybrid pepper plant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from one or more of pepper hybrid 9954288and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273, the method comprisingthe steps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid 9954288,wherein said preparing comprises crossing a plant of the pepper hybrid9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 with a secondplant; and (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plantto produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation. Infurther embodiments, the method may additionally comprise: (c) growing aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progenyplant of a subsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of asubsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and repeating thesteps for an additional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived frompepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273.The plant derived from pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 may be an inbred line, and the aforementionedrepeated crossing steps may be defined as comprising sufficientinbreeding to produce the inbred line. In the method, it may bedesirable to select particular plants resulting from step (c) forcontinued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). By selecting plantshaving one or more desirable traits, a plant derived from pepper hybrid9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 is obtainedwhich possesses some of the desirable traits of the line as well aspotentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing peppers comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of pepper hybrid9954288 and/or pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273, wherein theplant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting peppers fromthe plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofthe pepper plant line designated pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or pepperlines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 is provided. The phrase “geneticcomplement” is used to refer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences,the expression of which sequences defines the phenotype of, in thepresent case, a pepper plant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. Agenetic complement thus represents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissueor plant, and a hybrid genetic complement represents the genetic make upof a hybrid cell, tissue or plant. The invention thus provides pepperplant cells that have a genetic complement in accordance with the pepperplant cells disclosed herein, and plants, seeds and plants containingsuch cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that a plant provided herein could be identified by anyof the many well known techniques such as, for example, Simple SequenceLength Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF),Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)(Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by pepper plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a pepper plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second pepper plant, preferably, another, distinctpepper plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pepperplant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining the genotype of a plant described herein comprisingdetecting in the genome of the plant at least a first polymorphism. Themethod may, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality ofpolymorphisms in the genome of the plant. The method may furthercomprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality ofpolymorphisms on a computer readable medium. The invention furtherprovides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of error for the device or method being employed to determinethe value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean“and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only thealternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports adefinition that refers to only alternatives and to “and/or.” When usedin conjunction with the word “comprising” or other open language in theclaims, the words “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specificallynoted. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-ended linkingverbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, such as“comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and “including,”are also open-ended. For example, any method that “comprises,” “has” or“includes” one or more steps is not limited to possessing only those oneor more steps and also covers other unlisted steps. Similarly, any plantthat “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more traits is not limitedto possessing only those one or more traits and covers other unlistedtraits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288, pepper line SBY99-1273 and pepper line SBR 99-1274. Hybrid 9954288 can be described asa green to red bell pepper variety. The traits of this variety include asmall to medium plant size, golden yellow anthers and anthocyaninless.Anthocyanin is not observed in either the fruit or the stem. The maturefruit of the hybrid 9954288 can be further characterized as being firmand having a weight from about 200 to about 250 grams, a size that islarge to extra large, and a typically blocky bell pepper shape. Averagefruit dimensions at maturity are 8-10 cm wide by 8-10 cm long. Fruit atthe green stage is dark green, while fruit at red stage is bright red.

Sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 exhibits resistance to: Race 6 BLS(Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria), Races 1-5 and Races 7-10 ofBLS, TMV (p0) and TSUV. This variety shows uniformity and stabilitywithin the limits of environmental influence for the traits describedhereinafter. Sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 provides sufficient seed yield.

Sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 exhibits a number of improved traitsincluding resistance to: Race 6 of BLS, Race 1-5 BLS, Race 7-10 BLS, TMV(p0), and to TSWV. A Race 6 resistant, Race 1-5 resistant, and Race 7-10resistant hybrid will allow growers to continue to grow and harvestpeppers in areas affected by Race 6, Races 1-5 and Races 7-10 BLS, TMV(p0), and the TSWV, for example in open-field commercial production inplaces, such as in Georgia, USA, including the southern parts of thatstate. Without this resistance it is often impossible to prevent heavyinfection in areas where Race 6, Race 1-5, Race 7-10 BLS is present andenvironmental conditions favor BLS infection. Other suitable places ofproduction and sale are expected to include, for example, Venezuela,South Africa, Thailand, Australia, parts of the Caribbean, and Italy.The development of the variety can be summarized as follows.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Sweet Pepper Hybrid 9954288

The parents of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 are pepper line SBR 99-1274and pepper line SBY 99-1273. These parents were both created at breedingstations in Felda, Fla. and San Juan Bautista, Calif. Race 6 resistancewas originally provided by line 4413-23-1BK (Robert Stall, University ofFlorida, Gainesville). TSWV resistance was provided from Seminis bellpepper parent line YTSWV9796-2.

Inbred SBR 99-1274 was created by crossing “F2RNS/1091.PC01-1101-5,” ared, blocky bell segregating for Race 6 BLS resistance ((Xanthomonascampestris pv. vesicatoria) bs5 and bs6 genes) to YTSWV9796-2, which isa yellow, blocky bell fixed for resistance to TSWV. Neither parent wasmarketed as open pollinated lines. SBR 99-1274 is fixed for resistanceto race 6 BLS, is resistant to the TSWV, and is red. Thus, SBR 99-1274differs from both of its parents, neither of which has this combinationof characteristics. The crossing and selections that led to thedevelopment of SBR 99-1274 can be summarized as follows:

Year 1 Planted parents “F2RNS/1091.PC01-1101-5” and “YTSWV9796-2” ingreenhouses at San Juan Bautista Research Station. The F₁ Hybrid wasmade.Year 2 Planted F₁ hybrid SE-PC01-1101-5×SE-PC01-1046 as stake PC0203046. Individual plants were selfed.Year 2 Planted F₂ inbred PC02 03046-9 as stake PC02 FL 1273. Individualplant selection made.Year 3 Planted F₃ inbred PC02 FL 1273-3 as stake 03LB 00417. Fruit set,shape and size were adequate. Plants were segregating for bacterial spotRace 6 (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) and TSWV. Plantselections were made.Year 3 Planted F₄ inbred 03LB 00417-01 as stake 03LB 06282. Plantsproduced very large, red, hourglass shaped fruits. The line testedsusceptible for bacterial spot Races 1 to 5 (Bs1, Bs2, Bs3 genes) butresistant to Race 6. The line was segregating for TSWV. The line wasbulked.Year 4 Planted F₅ inbred line of 03LB 06282-M as stake 04LB 00405. Theline was fixed for the anthocyaninless trait. The line tested fixed forresistance to the TSWV. Plant selections were made.Year 4 Planted F₆ inbred line 04LB 00405-4 as stake 04LB 05541. Theplants produced a heavy set of red, broad-shouldered fruit, withadequate firmness and green color. Plants tested resistant to Tobaccomosaic virus (L1 gene) and resistant to Race 6 (Xanthomonas campestrispv. vesicatoria). The line tested fixed for resistance to the TSWV.Plant selections were made.Year 5 Planted F₇ inbred line 04LB 05541-03 as stake 05LB LBGH 0197.Line appeared uniform and stable. The line was bulked.

Year 5 Planted F₈ inbred line bulk 05LB LBGH 0197-M as stake 05LB 06526for increase. Line produced large to extra large red fruit of adequatecolor, heavy to adequate set, with adequate firmness. Observationsduring the growing season indicted the line was uniform and stable. Theentire plot was selected and bulked.

Year 6 Planted F₉ inbred line bulk 05LB 06526-M as 06LB LBGH 1454-M forincrease.

SBR 99-1274 is uniform and stable. It is within commercial acceptablelimits as is true with other Sweet Pepper inbred lines. A smallpercentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptable limitsfor almost any character during the course of repeated multiplication.However no variants were observed, during the four times in whichSBR99-1274 was observed in other trials.

SBY 99-1273 was developed by a cross between PC01-1089-8-F2RNSXPPR, abell pepper with blocky yellow fruit segregating for Race 6 bacterialspot resistance (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) through bs5 andbs6 genes, and SBR27-1004, which is a bell pepper with blocky red fruitfixed for bacterial spot resistance (Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria) through Bs2 gene, and fixed for TMV (p0) (L1 gene), andfixed for Potato virus Y pathotype P₀ (pvr2-2 gene). Neither parent wasmarketed as an open pollinated line. SBR 99-1273 is fixed for resistanceto Races 3 and 6 bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria)and carries Bs2, bs5 and bs6 genes, is fixed for resistance to the TMV(p0) (L1 gene), and has yellow fruit.

The crossing and selections that led to the development of line SBY99-1273 can be summarized as follows:

Year 1 Parents planted, PC01-1089-8-F2RNSXPPR as stake PC01 1089-8 andSBR27-1004 as stake PC01 10522 in greenhouses at San Juan BautistaResearch Station, Calif. The F₁ Hybrid was made.Year 2 F₁ hybrid planted, PC02 03017 at San Juan Bautista ResearchStation. Individual plants were selfed.Year 2 F₂ inbred line planted of PC02 03017-6 at the Felda ResearchStation in Florida as stake PC02FL 01 194. Plant selections were made.Year 3 F₃ inbred line was planted of PC02FL 01194-03 as stake 03LB 00204at the Felda Research Station in Florida. Plants were segregating forresistance for bacterial spot Race 6 (Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria). The line was found susceptible to Phytophthora capsici.Plant selections were made.Year 3 F₄ inbred line was planted of 03LB 00204-01 as stake 03LB 06407.Line was found homozygous for anthocyaninless. Pathology tests indicatethe line was fixed resistant to Races 1, 2 and 3 of bacterial spot((Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) Bs2 gene) and segregating forresistance to Race 6 (bs5 bs6 genes). Plant selections were made.Year 4 F₅ inbred line was planted of 03LB 06407-01 as stake 04LB 00589.The line was found fixed for yellow mature fruits. Pathology testsindicate the line was segregating for resistance to Race 6 (Xanthomonascampestris pv. vesicatoria). A single plant selection was made.Year 4 F₆ inbred line was planted of 04LB 00589-1 as stake 04LB 05652.Pathology tests indicate the line was fixed for resistance to TMV (p0)(L1 gene) and segregating for resistance to Race 6 (Xanthomonascampestris pv. vesicatoria). Plant selections were made.Year 5 F₇ inbred line was planted, 04LB 05652-01 as stake 05LB 00529.Line was fixed for upright peduncle. Line was fixed for resistance tobacterial spot Race 6 (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria). The linewas observed to be uniform and stable. The line was bulked.Year 5 F₈ bulk inbred line was planted, 05LB 00529-M as stake 05LB06559. The plants were small and produced slightly flat fruit that werevery firm and small to medium in size. The line was resistant tobacterial spot Race 6 (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria). The linewas found to be stable and uniform. The line was bulked.Year 6 F₉ bulk inbred line was planted, 05LB 06559-M as stake 06LB03152. The line was found to produce a heavy fruit set of very firmfruit, small to medium in size with four lobes. Fruit were medium greenin color and the plant size was small. The line was found resistant tobacterial spot ((Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) Bs2 and bs5 bs6genes). The line was bulked.

SBR 99-1273 is uniform and stable. It is within commercially acceptablelimits as is true with other Sweet Pepper inbreds. A small percentage ofvariants can occur within commercially acceptable limits for almost anycharacter during the course of repeated multiplication. However novariants were observed, during the two times in which SBR99-1273 wasobserved in other trials.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper Hybrid9954288

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288. A description of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of sweet pepper hybrid9954288 is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper Hybrid9954288 CHARACTERISTIC HYBRID 9954288 Species C. annuum Mature PlantDays from Transplanting until 75 Green Stage Plant Habit Semi-SpreadingPlant Attitude Semi-Upright/Semi-Erect Stem: Hairiness of Nodes Absentor Very Weak Height Medium Basal Branches Few (2-3) Branch FlexibilityRigid Leaf Length of Blade Medium Width of Blade Medium Color MediumGreen Intensity of Green Color Medium Mature Leaf Shape Broad EllipticLeaf and Stem Pubescence Light Undulation of Margin Weak Profile inCross Section Flat Peduncle Attitude Drooping Flower Corolla Color WhiteAnther Color Yellow Self-Incompatibility Absent Fruit Group Bell (YoloWonder L.) Color (Before Maturity) Green Intensity of Color (BeforeMedium Maturity) Color (Immature Fruit) Medium Attitude/PositionDrooping/Pendent Length Medium Diameter Broad Ratio Length/DiameterMedium Diameter at Mid-Point 1000.0 mm Flesh Thickness at Mid-Point 7.0mm Average Number of Fruits per 10 Plant Average Weight 220 gm Shape inLongitudinal Section Square Shape in Cross-Section (Level Quadrangularof Placenta) Texture of Surface Smooth/Very Slightly Wrinkled Color(Mature) Red Intensity of Color at Maturity Medium Glossiness MediumStalk Cavity Present Depth of Stalk Cavity Medium Stalk Length MediumStalk Thickness Medium Base Shape Cupped Shape of Apex ModeratelyDepressed Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Set Concentrated Depth ofInterloculary Grooves Shallow Number of Locules Predominately four andMore Measurement with Three 50% Locules Measurement with Four 40%Locules Measurement with Five or 10% More Thickness of Flesh ThickCalyx: Aspect Non-Enveloping/Saucer-Shaped Pungency Sweet Capsaicin inPlacenta Absent Flavor - Dry Fruit Mild Pepper Glossiness - Dry FruitModerate Seed Color Yellow Anthocyanin Coloration of Absent HypocotylPlant Anthocyanin Coloration of Absent Stem Anthocyanin Coloration ofAbsent Nodes Stem: Intensity of Very Weak Anthocyanin Coloration ofNodes Flower: Anthocyanin Absent Coloration in Anther Fruit: AnthocyaninColoration Absent Beginning of Flowering (1^(st) Medium Flower on 2^(nd)Flowering Node) Time of Maturity Medium Diseases Resistance toTobamovirus Most Resistant Pathotype 0 Resistance to Tomato Spotted MostResistant Wilt virus (TSWV) Resistance to Xanthomonas Most Resistantcampestris pv. vesicatoria Resistance to Nematode Most Susceptible(Meloidogyne incognita acrita) Resistance to Ripe Rot Most Susceptible(Vermicularia capsici) Resistance to Southern Blight Most Susceptible(Sclerotium rolfsii) Resistance to Verticillium Wilt Most Susceptible(Verticillium dahliae) Resistance to Race 6 Most Resistant Xanthomonascampestris pv. vesicatoria *These are typical values. Values may varydue to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent arewithin the scope of the invention.

The parents of hybrid 9954288, SBR99-1274 and SBY 99-1273, have beenself-pollinated and planted for a number of generations to produce thehomozygosity to make the hybrid 9954288 phenotypically stable andcommercial useful. No variant traits have been observed or are expectedfor the parents of this hybrid.

C. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Breeding SweetPepper

The hybrid 9954288 was produced by crossing inbred SBR 99-1274 with SBY99-1273. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of pepper lines SBR 99-1274 and SBY 99-1273 is presentedin Tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper SBR99-1274 CHARACTERISTIC SBR 99-1274 Species C. annuum Mature Plant Daysfrom Transplanting until 75 Green Stage Maturity (in region of best 90adaptability) Plant Habit spreading Color Medium Green Intensity ofGreen Color Medium (Doux tres long des Landes, Merit) Mature Leaf ShapeBroad Elliptic Peduncle Attitude Drooping Fruit Group Bell (Yolo WonderL.) Color (Before Maturity) Green (California wonder, Lamuyo) Intensityof Color (Before Medium Maturity) Intensity of Color (Before MediumMaturity) Color (Immature Fruit) Dark Green Attitude/PositionDrooping/Pendent (De Cauyenne, Lamuyo) Length Medium (Feher, Lamuyo)Diameter Broad (Clovis, Lamuyo) Ratio Length/Diameter Medium (Adra,Cherry Sweet, Daniel, Delphin, Edino) Fruit Measurements: Fruit 1100.0mm length Diameter at Mid-Point 1100.0 mm Shape in Longitudinal SectionSquare (Delphin, Yolo Wonder) Shape in Cross-Section (Level Quadrangularof Placenta) Texture of Surface Smooth/Very Slightly Wrinkled (Milord)Intensity of Color at Maturity Medium Mature fruit color Red Shape ofApex Very depressed (Kerala, Monte, Osir) Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.)Depth of Interloculary Grooves Medium (Clovis, Lamuyo, Marconi)Thickness of Flesh Thick (Andevalo, Bingor, Daniel, Topgirl) PungencySweet Capsaicin in Placenta Absent Flavor - Dry Fruit Mild Pepper FlavorSeed Color Yellow Anthocyanin Coloration of Absent (Albaregia, Albena)Hypocotyl Plant Anthocyanin Coloration of Absent Stem AnthocyaninColoration of Absent Nodes Flower: Anthocyanin Absent Coloration inAnther Fruit: Anthocyanin Coloration Absent Time of Maturity Late(Daniel, Doux d'Espagne) Diseases Resistance to Tobamovirus MostResistant (Lamuyo, Sonar, Yolo Wonder) Pathotype 0 (Tobacco Mosaic Virus(0)) Resistance to Tomato Spotted Present (Galileo, Jackal, Jackpot)Wilt virus (TSWV) Resistance to Xanthomonas Present/Most Resistant(Aladin, campestris pv. vesicatoria Camelot, EOR-20R, Kaldom, Kalorex,Lancelot, Pasa) Resistance to Race 4-10 of Most Resistant bacterial spot*These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Othervalues that are substantially equivalent are within the scope of theinvention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper SBY99-1273 and a comparison variety CHARACTERISTIC SBY 99-1273 Early CalWonder Species C. annuum C. annuum Maturity (in region of bestadaptability) Days from transplanting until 77 67 mature green stageDays from transplanting until 100 85 mature red or yellow stage Daysfrom direct seeding until 114 104 mature green stage Days from directseeding until 137 122 mature red or yellow stage Plant Habit CompactCompact Attitude Upright/erect (De Upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très longdes Landes, Piquant d'Algérie) Plant height 35.4 cm 40.9 cm Plant width38 cm 47.1 cm Length of stem from cotyledon 14 cm 10.7 cm to firstflower Length of the third internode 60 mm 54.0 mm (from soil surface)Length of stem Short (Delphin, Trophy) Shortened internode (in upperAbsent (California part) wonder, De Cayenne) For varieties withshortened None (Kalocsai 601) internodes only: Plant: number ofinternodes between the first flower and the shortened internodes Forvarieties with shortened Medium (Dolmi, internodes only: Plant: lengthof Florian, Órias) internode (on primary side shoots) Stem: hairiness ofnodes Absent or very weak (Arlequin) Height Short (Albaregia) Basalbranches None Few Branch flexibility Rigid (Yolo Wonder) Rigid Stemstrength (breakage Strong Intermediate resistance) Length of blade Long(Cupido, Dolmy, Encore, Mazurka, Monte) Width of blade Broad (Californiawonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) Leaf Leaf width 11.7 mm 11.3mm Leaf length 6.6 mm 6 mm Petiole length 4.6 mm 4.6 mm Color Lightgreen Light green RHS Color Chart Value 146A 147A Intensity of greencolor Medium (Doux très long des Landes, Merit) Mature leaf shape Ovate(Balico, Sonar) Ovate Leaf and stem pubescence Moderate AbsentUndulation of margin Absent (De Cayenne) Absent Blistering Absent(Century, Recio, Weak Solfiane) Profile in cross section Moderatelyconcave (doux italien, Favolor) Glossiness Strong (Andevalo, Floridor)Peduncle: attitude Erect (Fehér, Red Chili) Flower Flowers per leaf axil1 1 Calyx lobes 6 6 Petals 6 6 CHARACTERISTIC SBY 99-1273 Early CalWonder Diameter 2.69 mm 2.2 mm Corolla color White White Corolla throatmarkings Yellow Yellow Anther color Yellow Purple Style length Less thanstamen Same as stamen Self-incompatibility Absent Absent Fruit GroupBell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Color (before maturity)Green (California wonder, Lamuyo) Intensity of color (before Mediummaturity) Immature fruit color Medium green Medium green Immature fruitcolor 146A 137A RHS Color Chart value Attitude/position Erect/uprightDrooping/pendant (Kalocsai 601, Red Chili) Length Medium (Fehér, Lamuyo)Diameter Broad (Clovis, Lemuyo) Ratio length/diameter Small (Bucano,Topgirl) Calyx diameter 29.25 mm 32.0 mm Length 68.25 mm 80.0 mmDiameter at calyx attachment 63.1 mm 70.0 mm Diameter at mid-point 70 mm80.0 mm Flesh thickness at mid-point 5.2 mm 6.0 mm Average number offruits per 9.4 10.0 plant % large fruits (weight range: (weight range:141 to 200 g) 130 to 200 g) 6.03% 50.0% % medium fruits (weight range:(weight range: 81 to 140 g) 90 to 120 g) 33.9% 30.0% % small fruits(weight range: (weight range: 20 to 80 g) 50 to 75 g) 60.07% 20.0%Average fruit weight 96.5 gm 100.0 gm Shape in longitudinal sectionSquare (Delphin, Yolo Square Wonder) Shape in cross section (at levelQuadrangular Quadrangular of placenta) Sinuation of pericarp at basalWeak (Donat) part Sinuation of pericarp excluding Absent or very weakbasal part (Delphin, Milord) Texture of surface Smooth or very slightlySmooth or very slightly wrinkled (Milord) wrinkled Color (at maturity)Yellow (Golden calwonder, Heldor) Intensity of color (at maturity)Medium Mature fruit color Orange-yellow Red Mature fruit color RHS Color16A 46A Chart value Glossiness Medium/moderate Medium/moderate (Carrédoux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) Pedicel length 20.0 mm Pedicelthickness 8.6 mm 6.0 mm Pedicel shape Straight Curved Pedicel cavityPresent Absent Stalk: length Medium (Fehér, Sonar) Stalk: thicknessThick (Lamuyo, Trophy Palio) Base shape Cupped Cupped Shape of apexRounded (Cherry Very depressed Sweet) Shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell(Yolo Wonder L.) Set Concentrated Scattered Depth of interlocularygrooves Medium (Clovis, Medium Lamuyo, Marconi) % fruits with one locule0% 0% % fruits with two locules 3.03% 0% % fruits with three locules60.6% 40.0% % fruits with four locules 33.34% 60.0% % fruits with fiveor more 3.03% 0% locules Average number of locules 3.36 3.6 Thickness offlesh Medium ((Fehér, Lamuyo) Calyx: aspect Non-enveloping/Non-enveloping/saucer- saucer-shaped shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) PungencySweet Sweet Capsaicin in placenta Absent (Sonar) Flavor ModerateGlossiness Shiny Shiny Seed Seed cavity length 49.15 mm 43.0 mm Seedcavity diameter 59.6 mm 52.0 mm Placenta length 21.15 mm 22.0 mm Numberof seeds per fruit 98 100 Grams per 1000 seeds 7.5 gm Color YellowSeedling Anthocyanin coloration of Absent (Albaregia, Moderate hypocotylAlbena) Plant: anthocyanin coloration of Absent Absent stem Plant:anthocyanin coloration of Weak Weak nodes Stem: intensity of anthocyaninVery weak coloration of nodes Plant: anthocyanin coloration of AbsentAbsent leaf Plant: anthocyanin coloration of Absent Absent pedicelPlant: anthocyanin coloration of Absent Absent calyx Flower: anthocyanincoloration Absent (Danza) in anther Fruit: anthocyanin coloration Absent(Lamuyo) Absent Beginning of flowering (1^(st) Medium (Lamuyo, flower on2^(nd) flowering node) Latino) Time of maturity Medium (Lamuyo, Latino,Sonar) *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment.Other values that are substantially equivalent are within the scope ofthe invention.

D. Breeding Sweet Pepper Hybrid 9954288 and Parents Thereof

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for crossing thesweet pepper hybrid 9954288 and parent lines thereof with itself or asecond plant and the seeds and plants produced by such methods. Furtherhybrid variety seeds are produced by crossing sweet pepper hybrid9954288 with second pepper parent line or variety

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 and/or parentlines thereof followed by multiple generations of breeding according tosuch well known methods. New varieties may be created by crossing withany second plant. In selecting such a second plant to cross for thepurpose of developing novel lines or varieties, it may be desired tochoose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selecteddesirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s)when in hybrid combination. Once initial crosses have been made,inbreeding and selection take place to produce new varieties. Fordevelopment of a uniform line, often five or more generations of selfingand selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with sweetpepper hybrid 9954288 and parent lines or progeny thereof to achieve ahomozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny are heterozygous for locicontrolling the characteristic being transferred, but are like thesuperior parent for most or almost all other loci. The last backcrossgeneration would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the traitbeing transferred.

The line of the present invention is particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the line. In selecting a second plant to cross with sweetpepper hybrid 9954288 or a parent thereof for the purpose of developingnovel sweet pepper lines, it will typically be preferred to choose thoseplants which either themselves exhibit one or more selected desirablecharacteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s) when inhybrid combination. Examples of desirable traits of sweet peppersinclude: high seed yield, high seed germination, seedling vigor, earlyfruit maturity, high fruit yield, ease of fruit setting, diseasetolerance or resistance, and adaptability for soil and climateconditions. Consumer-driven traits, such as a preference for a givenfruit size, shape, color, texture, and taste, especially non-pungency(low capsaicinoid content), are other traits that may be incorporatedinto new lines of sweet pepper plants developed by this invention.

Particularly desirable traits that may be incorporated by this inventionis improved resistance to different viral, fungal, and bacterialpathogens. Anthracnose and Phytophthora blight are fungal diseasesaffecting various species of pepper. Fruit lesions and fruit rot are thecommercially important aspects of these diseases. Bacterial leaf spotand bacterial wilt are other diseases affecting pepper plants,especially during the wet season. Viral pathogens affecting pepperplants include the Pepper mosaic virus and the Tobacco mosaic virus.

Improved resistance to insect pests is another desirable trait that maybe incorporated into new lines of pepper plants developed by thisinvention. Insect pests affecting the various species of pepper includethe European corn borer, corn earworm, aphids, flea beetles, whiteflies,and mites (Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers,2003).

E. Performance Characteristics of Hybrid 9954288

As described above, hybrid 9954288 exhibits desirable agronomic traits,including anthocyaninless, a fruit size at maturity from about 200 g toabout 300 g and resistance to: Race 6 BLS (Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria), Races 1-5 BLS and Races 7-10 BLS, TMV (p0), and to TSWV. Anon-hypersensitive resistance in pepper to the bacterial spot pathogenis associated with two recessive genes (Jones and Minisavage, 2002).

While there is an open-pollinated pepper inbred available with Race 6resistance called ECW12346, it has much smaller fruit size, issusceptible to TSWV, and is not anthocyaninless. There is anotheropen-pollinated pepper inbred available with moderate tolerance to Race6 called “Dempsey”, but it is not anthocyaninless, nor does it have TSWVresistance (see Lane et al., 1997)

There are multiple commercial hybrids available with TSWV resistance butnone having Race 6 BLS resistance. These and other performancecharacteristics of the line were the subject of an objective analysis ofthe performance traits of the line relative to other lines. The resultsof the analysis are presented below.

TABLE 3 Performance Characteristics For Hybrid 9954288 Moderate Fruitfruit size Race 1-3 Race 6 Phytophthora color at Width (cm) × Fruit BLSBLS TSWV TMV (Po) capsici antho- green length weight Variety sourceresistance resistance resistance resistance resistance cyaninlessharvest (cm) (g.) 9954288 Seminis yes yes yes yes No no medium AristotleSeminis yes no no yes yes yes medium 10 × 10 300 Plato Seminis yes noyes yes no no medium- 10 × 12 300 dark Stiletto Syngenta yes no yes nono yes medium 8 × 8 200 Polaris Western yes no no yes no no dark 10 × 10300 Seeds Dempsey Syngenta no tolerance no yes no no medium 6 × 6 150

F. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In one embodiment, the invention provides plants of pepper hybrid9954288 and parent lines thereof modified to include at least a firstdesired heritable trait. Such plants may, in one embodiment, bedeveloped by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, whereinessentially all of the desired morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to a geneticlocus transferred into the plant via the backcrossing technique. Theterm single locus converted plant as used herein refers to those pepperplants which are developed by a plant breeding technique calledbackcrossing, wherein essentially all of the desired morphological andphysiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition tothe single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossingtechnique.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalpepper plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristicis termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers tothe fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental pepper plant towhich the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred isknown as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a pepper plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological andphysiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered inthe converted plant, in addition to the single transferred locus fromthe nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny pepper plants of a backcross in which aparent of 9954288 is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired traitfrom the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the parent of sweet pepper hybrid9954288 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in thesame environmental conditions.

Pepper varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,male sterility, herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal,or viral disease, insect resistance, restoration of male fertility,modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, and enhanced nutritionalquality. These comprise genes generally inherited through the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. An example of a dominant trait is the downy mildewresistance trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are sprayed with downy mildew spores prior to the backcrossing.The spraying eliminates any plants which do not have the desired downymildew resistance characteristic, and only those plants which have thedowny mildew resistance gene are used in the subsequent backcross. Thisprocess is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of pepper plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection applicable to the breeding ofpepper are well known in the art. Such methods will be of particularutility in the case of recessive traits and variable phenotypes, orwhere conventional assays may be more expensive, time consuming orotherwise disadvantageous. Types of genetic markers which could be usedin accordance with the invention include, but are not necessarilylimited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams etal., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNAAmplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized AmplifiedRegions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

G. Plants Derived From Sweet Pepper Hybrid 9954288 and Parent LinesThereof by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into the pepper line of the invention ormay, alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which canbe introduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plants,including pepper plants, are well known to those of skill in the art(see, e.g., below). Techniques which may be employed for the genetictransformation of pepper plants include, but are not limited to,electroporation, microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediatedtransformation and direct DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of pepper explant material andregeneration of whole transformed pepper plants (including tetraploids)from the transformed shoots has been shown to be an efficienttransformation method (U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,316).

A particularly efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segmentsto plant cells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particlesare coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target pepper cells. The screen disperses the particles sothat they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.It is believed that a screen intervening between the projectileapparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of projectilesaggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of transformation byreducing the damage inflicted on the recipient cells by projectiles thatare too large.

Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectorsfor Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangementof genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate theconstruction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide codinggenes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regionsflanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expressionof inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacteriumcontaining both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used fortransformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986;Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plantsand expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for pepper plant geneexpression include, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus(CaMV) P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expressionin most plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including monocots(see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); atandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35Spromoter (P-e35S) the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988), theoctopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwort mosaicvirus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and anenhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promotersequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem, the cauliflower mosaic virus19S promoter, a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter, a commelina yellowmottle virus promoter, and other plant DNA virus promoters known toexpress in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can beused for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells, includingpromoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2) light (e.g.,pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcS promoter,Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding protein promoter,Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid (Marcotte etal., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., 1989); or (5)chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It mayalso be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal etal., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al., 1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to the pepper lines ofthis invention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a pepper plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a pepper plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880275, hereinincorporated by reference it their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., aribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (seefor example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

H. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent. Marker: A readily detectable phenotype,preferably inherited in codominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in adiploid heterozygote are readily detectable), with no environmentalvariance component, i.e., heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of apepper variety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of thesingle locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing techniqueand/or by genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a pepper plant by transformation.

I. Deposit Information

A deposit of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288, disclosed above and recited inthe claims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection(ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date ofdeposit was Oct. 16, 2007. The accession number for those depositedseeds of sweet pepper hybrid 9954288 is ATCC Accession No. PTA-8690. Adeposit of sweet pepper SBR 99-1274, disclosed above and recited in theclaims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of depositwas Oct. 16, 2007. The accession number for those deposited seeds ofsweet pepper SBR 99-1274, is ATCC Accession No. PTA-8689. A deposit ofsweet pepper SBY 99-1273, disclosed above and recited in the claims, hasbeen made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of deposit was May30, 2008. The accession number for those deposited seeds of sweet pepperSBY 99-1273, is ATCC Accession No. PTA-9229.

Upon issuance of a patent, all restrictions upon the foregoing depositswill be removed. The deposits are intended to meet all of therequirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. The deposits will be maintainedin the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the lastrequest, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer,and will be replaced if necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

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1. A pepper plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes ofpepper line SBR 99-1274 or pepper line SBY 99-1273, a sample of seed ofsaid lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-8689,and ATCC Accession Number PTA-9229, respectively.
 2. A seed comprisingat least a first set of the chromosomes of pepper line SBR 99-1274 orpepper line SBY 99-1273, a sample of seed of said lines having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-8689, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-9229, respectively.
 3. The plant of claim 1, which is inbred.4. The plant of claim 1, which is hybrid.
 5. The plant of claim 4,wherein the hybrid plant is pepper hybrid 9954288, a sample of seed ofsaid hybrid 9954288 having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-8690.
 6. The plant of claim 3, wherein the inbred plant is a plantof line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273.
 7. A plant part of the plant ofclaim
 1. 8. The plant part of claim 7, further defined as a leaf, aovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 9. A pepper plant, or a part thereof,having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of thepepper plant of claim
 5. 10. A pepper plant, or a part thereof, havingall the physiological and morphological characteristics of the pepperplant of claim
 6. 11. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plantof claim
 1. 12. The tissue culture according to claim 11, comprisingcells or protoplasts from a plant part selected from the groupconsisting of embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers,roots, root tips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 13. A pepper plantregenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 12. 14. A method ofvegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1 comprising the steps of:(a) collecting tissue capable of being propagated from a plant accordingto claim 1; (b) cultivating said tissue to obtain proliferated shoots;and (c) rooting said proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets. 15.The method of claim 14, further comprising growing at least a firstplant from said rooted plantlets.
 16. A method of introducing a desiredtrait into a pepper line comprising: (a) crossing a plant of line SBR99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273, a sample of seed of said lines having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-8689, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-9229, respectively, with a second pepper plant that comprisesa desired trait to produce F1 progeny; (b) selecting an F1 progeny thatcomprises the desired trait; (c) crossing the selected F1 progeny with aplant of line SBR 99-1274 or SBY 99-1273 to produce backcross progeny;(d) selecting backcross progeny comprising the desired trait and thephysiological and morphological characteristic of pepper line SBR99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) threeor more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progenythat comprise the desired trait.
 17. A pepper plant produced by themethod of claim
 16. 18. A method of producing a plant comprising anadded trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferringthe trait into a plant of hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY99-1273, a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines having been depositedunder ATCC Accession Number PTA-8690, ATCC Accession Number PTA-8689,and ATCC Accession Number PTA-9229, respectively.
 19. A plant producedby the method of claim
 18. 20. A method of determining the genotype ofthe plant of claim 1 comprising obtaining a sample of nucleic acids fromsaid plant and detecting in said nucleic acids a plurality ofpolymorphisms.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the stepof storing the results of detecting the plurality of polymorphisms on acomputer readable medium.
 22. A method for producing a seed of a plantderived from at least one of hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or lineSBY 99-1273 comprising the steps of: (a) crossing a pepper plant ofhybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273 with itself or asecond pepper plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-8690, ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-8689, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-9229, respectively; and(b) allowing seed of a hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY99-1273-derived pepper plant to form.
 23. The method of claim 22,further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing a plant grown from saidhybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273-derived pepper seedto yield additional hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY99-1273-derived pepper seed; (d) growing said additional hybrid 9954288,line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273-derived pepper seed of step (c) toyield additional hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY99-1273-derived pepper plants; and (e) repeating the crossing andgrowing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybrid9954288, line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273-derived pepper plant. 24.The method of claim 22, wherein the second pepper plant is of an inbredpepper line.
 25. The method of claim 22, comprising crossing line SBR99-1274 with line SBY 99-1273, a sample of seed of said lines havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-8689, and ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-9229, respectively.
 26. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising: (f) crossing the further hybrid 9954288, line SBR 99-1274 orline SBY 99-1273-derived pepper plant with a second pepper plant toproduce seed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 27. A hybrid seed produced bythe method of claim
 25. 28. A plant produced by growing the seed ofclaim
 25. 29. A plant part of the plant of claim
 28. 30. The plant partof claim 29, further defined as a leaf, a flower, a fruit, an ovule,pollen, or a cell.
 31. The seed of claim 27, wherein one or both of theplant of line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273 and the second plantcomprises a transgene.
 32. The seed of claim 27, wherein one or both ofthe plant of line SBR 99-1274 or line SBY 99-1273 and the second plantcomprises a single locus conversion.
 33. A method of producing a pepperseed comprising crossing the plant of claim 1 with itself or a secondpepper plant and allowing seed to form.
 34. A method of producing apepper fruit comprising: (a) obtaining a plant according to claim 1,wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting apepper from the plant.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the plantaccording to claim 1 is a plant of pepper hybrid 9954288, a sample ofseed of said hybrid 9954288 having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-8690.